A woman has been sentenced to prison for making death threats against a crown court judge who ordered the destruction of her dangerous dog. Melissa Thorp, aged 50, used TikTok to incite violence against York Crown Court judge Simon Hickey and a police officer. Prosecutors emphasized that her actions placed the judge and officer in grave danger by urging her followers to share the threatening post widely. Thorp received a two-year jail term at Leeds Crown Court for her actions.
The incident occurred after Judge Andrew Menary KC from Liverpool received threats following the sentencing of individuals involved in summer riots. Thorp identified the judge and the officer who investigated attacks involving her Belgian Malinois as “targets” in her intoxicated TikTok outbursts. Despite deleting the post once sober, it had already been seen by viewers who reported it to the police. Thorp, employed as a general assistant at a creamery in the Yorkshire Dales, was charged with sending threatening communications, breaching a suspended prison sentence linked to her ownership of a dangerous dog.
Last year, Thorp’s dog was involved in attacks on a rambler, a train conductor, and a woman in a town center. The court heard that, despite being instructed to muzzle the dog by police, Thorp did not comply, leading to the destruction order after multiple incidents. Thorp received an 18-month suspended sentence earlier in the year, along with a ban on dog ownership for a decade and a compensation order for the victims. However, she was deeply upset by the loss of her pet, Blu.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Thorp’s TikTok post contained inflammatory remarks about the loss of innocent lives, including her dog Blu, and incited violence against authorities. Despite claiming she had no intention for harm to come to anyone, the judge emphasized the seriousness of threatening those involved in upholding the law. Thorp’s lawyer cited her mental health issues and alcohol struggles, attributing her actions to emotional distress and intoxication.
Judge Kate Rayfield condemned Thorp’s conduct, highlighting the real danger her threats posed to the judge and officer. Thorp was sentenced to two years and two months in prison for the malicious communication and breaching the suspended sentence, emphasizing the severity of her actions. The court noted Thorp’s extensive criminal record spanning 30 years, which included previous offences such as threatening behaviour, affray, and criminal damage.
In passing the sentence, Judge Rayfield stressed that despite Blu being a source of emotional support for Thorp, her behaviour on social media was unacceptable. The judge underscored the importance of upholding the law and the severe consequences of inciting violence against those responsible for public safety. Thorp’s case serves as a stark reminder of the repercussions of threatening and targeting individuals involved in the justice system.